Hotel Query?????

[+ Axiom2001]

Instead of my having to read through a plethora of websites-- I'd like to propose a question in hope that I'd get some valid responses.

Today I received the following suggestions for stay in Rio, Salvador, and San Paulo: Luxor Regente: Copacababa, Monte Pascoal Hotel: Salvador (Barra), and San Paulo: Blue Tree Paulista.

 

Has anyone stayed in the above-named hotels during their travels to Brazil? What was the company scene like?

[CT Dick]

I just stayed a few nights at the Luxor Regente (pronounced Hay zhen chay) in Copacabana after a few nights at the Astoria.

 

The LR is very pleasant but not elegant. It is right on the oceanfront at the south end of the beach. My room had a courtyard view but the front rooms would have a great beach view.

 

My only complaint about it was that it is a schlepp from the gay beach, the saunas, or the metro.

 

I preferred the Astoria's location. It is three blocks inland and one star less than the Regente but more central.

 

(I stayed at the Astoria on Trilingual's recommendation.)

 

I assume that your question about company refers to escorts. In both hotels, there is ALWAYS someone at the desk keeping an eye on the traffic. I didn't bring anyone back to either so I have no experience to report. But, at the LR, I witnessed an employee calling a room before returning a woman's ID in the morning.

 

I would refer you to other discussions in this section about safety. As I already posted, an ex-pat living in Rio now only takes pick-ups to a bath/sauna.

 

Dick

[sf traveler]

My Portuguese teacher said she stayed in the Blue Tree Paulista once and that her only complaint was that there wasn't enough space for their clothing. Since she was traveling with her boyfriend, and she's a very fashion conscious Paulista even after ten year in the States, this probably won't be a problem for you. The location of the hotel seems good since it's quite near a Metro stop--and that's all you need to get to Lagoa, the Holy Grail, the shrine of shrines to those worshippers of Brazilian saunas. Just follow Trilingual's directions. And let us know about the hotels, and the boys, when you get back.

[trilingual]

In Rio, if you have a map I'd really recommend looking for Copacabana hotels located in the stretch between Av. Princesa Isabel and r. Figueiredo Magalhães. In that area you're within easy walking distance of the metro, the gay beach, the Estação and Roger's, the Blockbuster Video with the Citibank ATM center, shopping, restaurants, etc. Otherwise, it starts getting to be a shlepp getting to places.

 

I haven't stayed at the Monte Pascoal, but it's in the neighborhood I would choose in Salvador (Barra). I haven't been to Salvador in quite some time, but the Farol da Barra beach used to be very gay on weekends, and probably still is. The last time I was in Salvador I stayed at the Marazul, in the same area, and it was pleasant. The Barra neighborhood is considered chic, and there's now a shopping center (Barra Shopping) in the area that would be convenient for quick meals, cruising the pretty locals, etc.

 

As for São Paulo, in numerous other threads I've expressed my personal preference for staying downtown on the great gay way of Av. Vieira de Carvalho, which has numerous hotels in a variety of price categories (browse other threads for more info if you're interested). I'm not familiar with the Blue Tree Paulista, but it's part of a chain that I understand is nice. Just be sure it's in an area with plenty of restaurants and other life after dark, as well as easy metro access.

[alankay]

I will be traveling to Rio during the week of Thanksgiving (11/27-12/2) and booked a room at the Sol Ipanema on Av Vieira Souto 320 in Ipanema. It is my first trip to Rio and I wondered if this hotel is close to any of the saunas--especially Club 117. After reading the postings of Jaunty I can hardly wait for late November to come! (I was so preoccupied with Jaunty's fabulous experiences that I couldn't sleep after reading his thread!) If anyone else is coming to Rio at that time let me know as it sounds as if there is safety in numbers.

[CT Dick]

None of the saunas are in Ipanema, but taxis are everywhere and cheap.

 

Estação and Roger's are in central Copacabana, near the last metro stop. 117 is about 5 metro stations away (Metro Gloria).

 

Dick

[trilingual]

Well, Roger's and Estação are within walking distance of the current last Metro stop (Arcoverde) but it's several blocks, at a minimum. When the new Siqueira Campos station is finally opened, hopefully in about a year, Estação will be right across the street and Roger's only about a block away.

 

Club 117 is only about a block from the Glória Metro station.

 

You can always take taxis, but if you want to be a bit adventurous, ask at your hotel what bus to take to get to the Glória Metro station. (Probably the one marked Glória, duh, but I might be wrong on that one.) Then just get off there and follow the directions in the semi-world-famous review to get to the Club 117.

 

To take a bus from Ipanema to Estação or Roger's, catch any bus on Visconde de Pirajá going towards downtown via Av. N.S. de Copacabana. (If it says RioSul in the front window, that's a good sign!) For the first, ask to get off at Figueiredo Magalhães (or just Figueiredo) and for the second Siqueira Campos, then follow the directions in the review.

 

Using the bus: Ask at the hotel what the current fare is and have exact change if you can, or at least have close to it. DO NOT try changing anything larger than a R$5 bill on a bus. Don't flash money on a bus. Board through the rear door. Pay the fare collector and push your way through the turnstile. Pull the buzzer for your stop. You can ask the driver to let you know, but they're not very conversational. They all think they're driving in the Grand Prix! If you know where your stop is, try to move up to the front door in plenty of time to get off, because you sometimes have to get off "on the fly". Rio bus riding is a real action sport! A thrill a minute! Have a fabulous time!!!

[CT Dick]

I have been a follower of the Word of Trilingual. In fact I took printouts of his review with me to Rio.

 

However, I have to say that I question his advice on the buses. They are PACKED and look like a pick pocket's paradise. A number of Brazilians have warned me not to take them. If you are adventuresome and want a thrill, take one. If you are a cautious tourist like me.....

 

Taxis are SOOOOO cheap that I didn't think twice about taking one.

 

Dick (I feel like a blasphemer. x( )

[+ Lucky]

RE: Hotel Queer?????

 

I took many bus rides with absolutely NO problems!

[alankay]

It sounds like staying in Ipanema is not the closest but getting around is essentially no problem. I will try the bus and metro (avoiding unnecessary attention) during the day and cabs at night. I appreciate the feedback as it relieves some of the stress over traveling to a totally new place. I will continue to be an avid reader of this message board--it is one of the best!

[trilingual]

You've got the right idea: bus and metro during the day (actually they're OK during the early evening, too) and cabs at night. (The metro stops running fairly early, anyway, and doesn't run at all on Sunday.)

 

I have a few Brazilian friends who also say the same things about the buses, but the ones who do are a bit snobby because they've made it to the middle class and have bought cars so they wouldn't be caught DEAD on the buses! ;-) That being said, I probably wouldn't take a bus into an unknown neighborhood in the Zona Norte or Oeste without asking first, and I avoid jam-packed buses at rush hour both for comfort and to avoid pick-pockets. A bus ride at night within Ipanema or Copacabana is safe (like from Roger's or Estação back to your hotel) but I wouldn't go beyond Zona Sul on a bus at a late hour.

 

Cabs, of course, are plentiful and cheap. Pay the meter rate. Later at night, Sundays and holidays the fares are higher (tarif rate 2) which you'll see illuminated on the meter. This is legal. NO TIPPING! You do round the fare up to the next whole real, though.

[Guest Jaunty]

RE: Hotel Queer?????

 

BUS FUSS:

Travel by bus is great fun; depending of course on your sense of humor. I have paid more for amusement park rides that weren't nearly as thrilling. We are talking serious equipment here: BIG Heavy Benz or VW diesels towering over pedestrians and cars alike. No namby-pamby automatic transmissions, thank you very much, but heavy duty macho standards, rowed vigorously through the gears with the clutch used like an on-off switch by a driver determined to move his rig down the block just as fast as possible. If you relax your neck muscles just right you can save a trip to the chiropracter. (or make one necessary!)

 

The second man in back (sometimes he is cute & friendly) collects fares, and is usually quite happy to tell you where to get off . . .Another delightful thing about Brasil is the ease of making change; none of that "Correct Change Only" horseshit that we find so frequently stateside. It is almost as though people have given some thought to making peoples lives easier rather than the other way around.

 

From your elevated seat on board, you are in a great place to view the shops along the street and the ever passing parade of beautiful men, as well as a chance to watch the flow of traffic. At first glance it appears to be total chaos. There is a method to the madness however and it works very well. I never saw even a fender scrape. See if you can figure it out, and until you do;

 

Do not even think about renting a car and driving yourself about!

 

(Hint:A: Brasilians probably get 2 or 3 times the mileage between brake relines than we do stateside. B: The painted line between lanes is not a revered icon which is shown great deference. (as we do) )

 

The bus comments on this thread don't apply to the air conditioned motor coaches floating up and down the beach blvd. Ave Atlantico for twice the price catering to visitors; but rather the regular city buses plying the streets a block or two away. You did come to Rio to mix it up with the Cariocas, didn't you?

 

Heel&Toe:

You are staying at #320 Rua Rendevous and have a hot date in 20 minutes with Bruno at #450, just down the street at the closest motel. Do you walk or take the bus? It is only a block away, right? WRONG. It could be a mile down the street. Where ever did you get the quaint notion that there is 100 numbers to a city block ? Take the bus and let one adventure lead to another.

 

John T

[+ Axiom2001]

Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Please get back to the original topic. I think a NEW thread about traveling within the cities...is in ORDER! Thanx!

AX

[Guest miguelmiche1]

luxor regente in the past has charged heftily for guests. don~t even try sneaking one in - or, in addition to anything else, you~ll have security on yr tail.